Rack assembly joint

ABSTRACT

A rack assembly joint aims for assembly of a plurality of shelves. Each shelf has four corners at two lateral edges and four insertion rods respectively protruding from the four corners toward two sides. The rack assembly joint includes a main body, a first coupling structure and a second coupling structure. The main body has a first coupling end and a second coupling end perpendicular to each other. The first coupling structure and the second coupling structure are located respectively on the first coupling end and the second coupling end, and include respectively at least two first coupling round holes and two second coupling round holes to form compact coupling with the insertion rod. Thus a selected number of the rack assembly joints and the shelves can be chosen to assemble an assembly rack.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rack assembly joint and particularly to a joint structure for assembly of racks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Please referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional assembly rack mainly includes a plurality of clamp joints 1 and a plurality of shelves assembled together. Each clamp joint 1 has four clamp portions 3. Each clamp portion 3 consists of two plates 4 spaced from each other at a selected distance. Each shelf 2 has four corners wedged respectively in a corresponding clamp portion 3 and clamped thereof to be assembled to form an assembly rack as desired.

The conventional assembly rack thus formed can be configured in various grid type spaces to hold goods, such as a single grid space, nine-rectangle-grid spaces or stepped grid spaces or the like, and can be assembled and changed freely according to user's requirements, hence is a furniture well accepted in the market.

However, the conventional assembly rack, due to it relies on clamping of the clamp joint 1 to couple the shelves 2, after used for a prolonged period of time elasticity fatigue occurs. Hence clamping force gradually deceases after used for a period of time or repeatedly disassembly and assembly that could result in loosening. Moreover, the clamp joint 1 that clamps the shelf 2 in the conventional manner cannot withstand a swiveling force parallel with the shelf 2. Hence after being hauled and moved, the assembly rack could loosen and require assembly anew. In the event that the loosened state is not noticed by users or reassembly is not being done properly, and goods are placed thereon, the assembly rack could collapse and cause damage of the goods or injury of people.

Hence the assembly structure of the conventional assembly rack cannot fully meet use requirements and still has room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a rack assembly joint that can firmly assemble shelves to meet use requirements.

To achieve the foregoing object the rack assembly joint of the invention aims for assembly of a plurality of shelves. Each shelf has four corners at two lateral edges and four insertion rods respectively protruding from the four corners straightly toward two sides thereof. The rack assembly joint includes a main body, a first coupling structure and a second coupling structure. The main body has a first coupling end and a second coupling end perpendicular to each other. The first coupling structure is located on the first coupling end and includes at least two first coupling round holes coupled with the insertion rod in a compact manner. The second coupling structure is located on the second coupling end and includes at least two second coupling round holes coupled with the insertion rod in a compact manner.

Thus, after a plurality of the rack assembly joints and a plurality of the shelves are coupled together an assembled rack is formed. Because the first coupling round holes and the second coupling round holes are coupled with the insertion rod in a compact manner a secure structure is formed that can provide a sufficient bonding force without the problem of loosening caused by elasticity fatigue, and maintain a firm assembly rack even after subject to assembly and disassembly a plurality of times, hence can meet use requirements.

The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following embodiments and detailed description, that proceed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional rack assembly joint.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a conventional assembly rack.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a shelf used in the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the invention incorporated with a door panel.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the invention incorporated with a caster.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the invention in a use condition.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the invention in a use structure partly disassembled.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the invention in another use condition.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the invention showing a shelf and the rack assembly joint in a coupling condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 3 and 4 for a first embodiment of the invention that aims to couple with a plurality of shelves 10. Each shelf 10 has four corners at two lateral edges each has four insertion rods 11 respectively protruding from the four corners straightly toward two sides. The rack assembly joint 20A includes a main body 21, a first coupling structure 41 and a second coupling structure 42. The main body 21 has a first coupling end 31 and a second coupling end 32 perpendicular to each other. The first coupling structure 41 is located on the first coupling end 31 and includes at least two first coupling round holes 51 coupled with the insertion rod 11 in a compact manner. The second coupling structure 42 is located on the second coupling end 32 and includes at least two second coupling round holes 52 coupled with the insertion rod 11 in a compact manner.

Each first coupling round hole 51 and each second coupling round hole 52 have respectively a latch rim 60 formed inside to clamp the insertion rod 11 to enhance clamp forces. The main body 21 also has a first flank plate 71 and a second flank plate 72 connected thereon and extended outward transversely in the directions of the first coupling round hole 51 and the second coupling round hole 52.

Please refer to FIG. 5 for a second embodiment of the invention. Compared with the first embodiment, in the second embodiment the rack assembly joint 20B further includes a third coupling structure 43, and the main body 21 has a third coupling end 33 opposite to the first coupling end 31 at the rear side thereof. The third coupling structure 43 is located on the third coupling end 33. The third coupling structure 43 has at least two third coupling round holes 53 to couple with the insertion rod 11 in a compact manner. The second coupling round holes 52 include at least three sets. Similarly, in the second embodiment each of the first coupling round holes 51, the second coupling round holes 52 and the third coupling round holes 53 has a latch rim 60 formed inside to clamp the insertion rod 11. Moreover, the main body 21 also has a first flank plate 71, a second flank plate 72 and a third flank plate 73 connected thereon and extended outward transversely in the directions of the first coupling round hole 51, the second coupling round hole 52 and the third coupling round hole 53.

Please refer to FIG. 6 for a third embodiment of the invention. Compared with the second embodiment, in the third embodiment the rack assembly joint 20C further includes a fourth coupling structure 44, and the main body 21 has a fourth coupling end 34 which is located opposite to the second coupling end 32 at the rear side thereof. The fourth coupling structure 44 has at least three coupling round holes 54 to couple with the insertion rod 11 in a compact manner. The first coupling round holes 51, the second coupling round holes 52 and the third coupling round holes 53 include respectively three sets. Similarly, each of the first coupling round holes 51, the second coupling round hole 5 and the third coupling round hole 53 and the fourth coupling holes 54 has a latch rim 60 formed inside to clamp the insertion rod 11. Moreover, the main body 21 also has a first flank plate 71, a second flank plate 72, a third flank plate 73 and a fourth flank plate 74 connected thereon and extended outward transversely in the directions of the first coupling round hole 51, the second coupling round hole 52, the third coupling round hole 53 and the fourth coupling round hole 54.

Please referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the invention can be incorporated with a door panel 12 and a caster 13 when in use. The door 12 has a grip knob 121, and the insertion rods 11 (two sets) on the same side of the grip knob 121 must be shortened without being jammed to allow the door panel 12 to be opened as desired. The caster 13 has an installation strut 131 to facilitate moving after installation.

Please refer to FIGS. 9 and 10 for the invention in use conditions. The components include the rack assembly joint 20A of the first embodiment, the rack assembly joint 20B of the second embodiment, the door panel 12, the shelves 10 and the casters 13. After assembly is finished an assembly rack equipped with the door panel 12 is formed to meet use requirement.

Please refer to FIG. 11 for the invention in another use structure. The components include the rack assembly joint 20A of the first embodiment, the rack assembly joint 20B of the second embodiment, the rack assembly joint 20C of the third embodiment and the shelves 10. After assembly is finished a stepped type assembly rack is formed to meet use requirement.

Please refer to FIG. 12 for a design of the first flank plate 71, the second flank plate 72, the third flank plate 73 and the fourth flank plate 74 (with the rack assembly joint 20A as an example, and merely the first flank plate 71 is shown for discussion). Each flank plate is formed in a shape to fill and mate a truncated corner 14 of each shelf 10 to avoid creating too large a gap with the rack assembly joints 20A, 20B and 20C, and to enhance aesthetic appeal.

As a conclusion, the invention allows various types and quantity of the rack assembly joints, shelves, door panels and casters to be assembled to form assembly racks of varying styles according to users' requirements. Since the first coupling round hole and the second coupling round hole can form compact coupling with the insertion rod, sufficient bonding forces are generated, hence the problems of elasticity fatigue and loosening also are less likely to occur. The rack thus formed can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly many times and still very firm in structure, thus can meet use requirements.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, they are not the limitation of the invention, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A rack assembly joint for coupling with a plurality of shelves to form a rack, each shelf including four corners at two lateral edges and four insertion rods respectively protruding from the four corners straightly toward two sides thereof, comprising: a main body including a first coupling end and a second coupling end perpendicular to each other; a first coupling structure which is located on the first coupling end and includes at least two first coupling round holes to form compact coupling with the insert rod; and a second coupling structure which is located on the second coupling end and includes at least two second coupling round holes to form compact coupling with the insert rod.
 2. The rack assembly joint of claim 1, wherein each of the first coupling round holes and the second coupling round holes includes a latch rim inside to clamp the insertion rod.
 3. The rack assembly joint of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a first flank plate and a second flank plate that are connected thereon and extended outward transversely in the directions of the first coupling round holes and the second coupling round holes.
 4. The rack assembly joint of claim 1 further including a third coupling structure, and the main body further including a third coupling end opposite to the first coupling end at a rear side thereof, the third coupling structure being located on the third coupling end and including at least two third coupling round holes to form compact coupling with the insertion rod, the second coupling round holes including at least three sets.
 5. The rack assembly joint of claim 4, wherein each of the first coupling round holes, the second coupling round holes and the third coupling round holes includes a latch rim inside to clamp the insertion rod.
 6. The rack assembly joint of claim 4, wherein the main body includes a first flank plate, a second flank plate and a third flank plate that are connected thereon and extended outward transversely in the directions of the first coupling round holes, the second coupling round holes and the third coupling round holes.
 7. The rack assembly joint of claim 4 further including a fourth coupling structure, and the main body further including a fourth coupling end opposite to the second coupling end at a rear side thereof, the fourth coupling structure being located on the fourth coupling end and including at least three fourth coupling round holes to form compact coupling with the insertion rod, the first coupling round holes, the second coupling round holes and the third coupling round holes including respectively at least three sets.
 8. The rack assembly joint of claim 7, wherein each of the first coupling round holes, the second coupling round holes, the third coupling round holes and the fourth coupling round holes includes a latch rim inside to clamp the insertion rod.
 9. The rack assembly joint of claim 7, wherein the main body includes a first flank plate, a second flank plate, a third flank plate and a fourth flank plate that are connected thereon and extended outward transversely in the directions of the first coupling round holes, the second coupling round holes, the third coupling round holes and the fourth coupling round holes. 